Container



'July 13, 1937. N. s. REEDER ET AL 2,086,923

CONTAINER Filed March l, 1935 '7 Sheets-Sheet l 1.. AA A @y v vvv l am l393i.: J q ,6 T zu |1 un IIIII l 19) l Ll I .IIII Fh! llllll l:

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w .mhb. NN N` q l ATT'O Ev July 13, 1937. N. s. REEDER ET l.

CONTAINER Filed March 1, 1935 '7 Sheetsheet 2 NE'Y ATT

July 13, 1937. N. s. REEDER ET Al.

CONTAINER Filed March l, 1953 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 m im ww, @9 ""Wwf AT'TRNY July 13, 1937. N. s. REEDER ET AL CONTAINER Filed March l, 1953 7Sheets-Sheet 4 July 13,1937. N. s. REEDER ET AL CONTAINER Filled March1, 19:53

7 Sheets-Sheet 5 l l mu 1v om u@ m m em .m L L mm. N j 1 -l l V l I l lI lll N July 13, 1937. N. s. REEDx-:R ETAL 2,086,923 CONTAINER FiledMarch l, 1953 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 INV NToR "Magra/h July 13, 1937. N. S.REED-ER ET AL 2,086,923 l I CONTAINER Filed March 1, 1955 v sheets-sheet7 bwmm. Y WNH@ ATTO Patented July 13, 1937 aan of New `llerseyApplication March 1, 1933, Serial No. 659,108

26 Claims.

The invention hereinafter described pertains to containers andparticularly a type of container adapted ior shipment of flat sheets oirelatively thin metal such as is used in automobile body building andsimilar construction in which the surface of the sheets must be keptflat, free from rust and scratches, although it may be used for otherpurposes whenever the nature of the lading will permit.

Various methods have heretofore been used in transporting such lading,all oi which necessitated excessive handling as well as considerablepacking, since the most popular method was to bind the sheets inbundles, which were braced top and bottom aswell as along the sides andthen secure the individual bundles in place upon the floor of a box car.By these methods the sizes oi the bundles of sheets which could behandled were limited by the ability to handle the bundles and the sizeof the door openings, and several handlings were necessary to preparethe individual bundles for shipment and afterwards in delivery to thecustomer.

The herein described invention makes possible the loading of relativelylarge unbound packs oi" sheets directly upon the container and 'thesecuring of the packs in place by means of devices forming a permanentpart oi the container. The container may then be loaded upon a car andtransported to the customer.

An object of the invention is to provide a container for receiving andsecuring unbound stacks oi flat sheets of metal.

Another object of the invention is to provide a container fortransporting. unbound stacks of iiat sheets oi metal which protects thelading against weather and damage in transit while being transported inopen top railway cars.

Another object of the invention is to provide a container upon which thesheets may be load- -ed directly from the mill and secured thereinwithout further packing.

A further object of the invention lies in the form of the container andthe sheet securing means as hereinafter described.

In the drawings forming a part of this speciiication Fig. 1 is a plan`view or" the container, one-hali showing the cover in place and theother half showing the cover removed; Fig. 2 shows a section of thecontainer taken along the lines 2-2 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 shows Va partialend View of the container and part in section, the section being takenalong the lines 3-3 oi Fig. 1; Fig. Ll shows a section taken along thelines l-ll of Fig. 1; Fi-g. 5 shows a section taken along the (Cl.22d-1.5)

lines 5-5 of Fig. 4; Fig. 6 shows a plan view of Fig. 4; Fig. 'l shows aplan View oi a modification of the container with the cover removed;Fig. 8 shows a section taken along the lines S--ll of Fig. '7; Fig. 9shows a cross section oi Fig. 'l taken on the lines Q-l of that figure;Fig. 10 shows a partial section of the container taken along the linesllild oi Fig. '7; Figs. El1 to 15 inclusive show the transverselymovable lading securing means mounted on the container; Fig. 13 shows aplan view of Fig. 11 and Fig. 16 shows a plan view of the post shown inFig. lll; Fig. 17 shows a modiiication of the means for effectingtransverse movement oi the lading securing means; Fig. 18 is a plan viewof the mechanism shown in Fig. i7; Fig. 19 is a section taken along thelines lEiw--ll ci Fig. i8; Fig. 20 is an end view oi the mechanism shownin Fig. 19; Fig. 21 is a section taken along the lines 2l2l of Fig. 17;4Fig. 22 is an elevation oi a railway car having the containers mountedthereon; Fig. 23 is a plan View of the car and containers shown in Fig.22; Figs. 2li to 27 inclusive show various methods oi arranging theunbound stacks of lading upon the container base; Fig. 28 is a oneouarter section of the base of the container oi Fig. 1 showing amodification of the invention illustrating another method oi assemblingthe supports for the lading and the abutments for securing the lading inposition on the base; Fig. 2 9 is a section on lines 28-2t oi Fig. 3showing water seal formed between base end member d and the cover.

Referring now in detail to the drawings the container comprises a base land cover 2. The base and cover being so related to each other as toform a complete unit and the suggested limits for leading lading thereinare indicated by dot and dash lines in Figs. 6 and 7. The base lcomprises side members 3 and end members d suitably oonnected at theirends by corner braces 5. The members E and i are preferably formed ofpressed plates having top and bottom iianges and a Vertical connectingweb. The bottom flanges being inturned to form a support or the base andthe inturned top flanges forming a support for the cover 2. The inneriree edges of the top flanges are deflected upwardly at c serving toprevent transverse movement of the cover 2 and to form a seal adapted toshed moisture and prevent its entrance into the container.

Connecting the end members i on opposite sides oi the longitudinalcenter line of the base are the members il comprised of spaced channelshaving their iianges oppositely disposed and connecting the side members3 at spaced intervals along their length are the Z-shaped members l'. Inthe base as shown by Fig. 1 the members 6 are cut out to permit passageof the members 1. These members 6 and 'I serve to brace the base and tosupport the lading. An additional transverse brace la may be used anddisposed below the upper plane of the members 6.

As shown in Fig. l of the drawings the channels of the members 6 arearranged in pairs longitudinally of the container and a wood member 8 ismounted between the flanges of the channels in such a manner as to havethe upper facethereof in a plane above the top flanges of the members 6.There are a plurality of these members S arranged on each side of thelongitudinal center line of the container and in the present embodimentof the invention they serve as the sole support of the lading upon thecontainer base.

For the purpose of securing the stacked plates against movement upon thebase there are provided abutment members 9 and I6 on opposite ends ofeach of the members I. In the present embodiment of the invention themembers 9 are shown to be movable along the members 6 and the members I9are shown as mounted adjacent one end of the members E in fixed relationthereto. It is to be understood, however, that the members I9 may, ifdesired, be movably mounted on the members 6 in a manner similar to themounting of the members 9.

The member 9 comprises a base having wing portions Il adapted to overlieand embrace the oppositely disposed top flanges of the channels formingthe members 6. The intermediate portion of the base being offset so asto provide clearance for the wood members S. Projecting upwardly,preferably in vertical relation to the base, is the portion I2 to forman abutment for the lading. Mounted on the member 9, in verticallyspaced relation, on bearings trunnion mounted in the portion I2, are twoscrew threaded members I3. At one end of the members I 3 are securedoperating handles Ill and the other end of the member is threaded intobases I5 mounted on a member I6 which spans the distance between themembers i3. The member I5 is preferably of channel form having theflanges thereof vertically disposed and directed away from the abutmentmember 9. The member I is of such length as to provide a clearancebeneath its lower end and the wood bearing members B and has securedbetween its flanges a wood bearing member I'I. Thus, it will be seenthat it is the member I6 and its contained member Il which comes intoactual Contact with the lading and which in turn are held in fixedrelation to the lading by means of the portion I2 of the member 9.

To provide for movement of the members 9 longitudinally of the members 6it will be observed that the wing portions II loosely engage the iiangesof the members 6 so that the member 9 can be moved along the members 6.The wings II have suitable disposed perforations adapted to registerwith suitably spaced perforations in the anges of the members 6 so thatthe members 9 can be anchored in place anywhere along the members 6 byinserting the pins I8 into the registering perforations.

The members I when adapted to be mounted in xed relation to the members6, comprise a vertically disposed portion I9, preferably formed of anI-beam or channel having the flanges secured between the oppositelydisposed webs of the channels forming the members 6. A wood member 2D ispreferably mounted between the flanges of the portion I9 and disposedinwardly of the container base. It is against this wood member 29 thatthe lading abuts and is thereby prevented from injury through contactwith the metal portion of the member I0. It is to be understood,however, that if it is desired to make the member I U movable along themembers 8, this can be easily accomplished by shortening the portion I9and mounting it between pairs of wings such as the Wings II forming thebase of the member 9.

For the purpose of protecting the lading against damage and to keep outmoisture the cover 2 is provided. This cover is preferably rigid andcomprises a framework of inclined side ribs 2l and arcuate connectingribs 22. There is also a longitudinal center rib 23 and inclined endribs 2d extending downwardly therefrom, Extending along each side andend adjoining the aforementioned ribs are connected angular members 25completing the cover. These members 25 serve the double purpose ofsecuring the free ends of the framework ribs of the cover and to providea bearing for the cover upon the base I. These latter members 25preferably have an inturned flange 25 adapted to cooperate with the angeupon the base members 3 and Il. This framework is covered by sheathing2e, 2b, and 2.

The particular contour of the members forming the ribs of the cover isof no consequence eX- cept as to the necessities of good constructionand as shown in the drawings the ribs at the sides and ends of thecenter rib 23 are made channel shaped with outwardly turned flanges onthe free ends of the legs of the channel. It will, of course, be obviousthat any other desirable contour may be used which will serve thepurposes of strength and rigidity.

As will be observed by reference to Fig. 3 the top ribs 22 connectingthe side ribs 2l are arcuate in form and the side and end ribs convergeupwardly. By constructing the cover with an arched top portion greaterstrength is obtained than with a horizontal construction and byinclining the side and end ribs the covers of a series of suchcontainers can be stacked one upon the other without difficulty. For thepurpose of handling the cover there is provided at the corners handlinghooks 27. These hooks preferably have a flat top portion 2la to serve asa bearing for another cover when stacked upon the first-mentioned coverand are so disposed as to prevent binding between the covers when sostacked. We also prefer to provide at the upper edges of the coverintermediate the ends auxiliary hooks 28. These are so disposed as tonot interfere with the stacking of the covers and are for the purposewhich will be described hereinafter.

Referring now to Fig. 7 of the drawings in which is shown a plan View ofa modification in the base of the container, it will be noted that theside and end members of the base are the same as shown in Fig. 1 of thedrawings and are similarly connected. The central longitudinal members2.. comprise pairs of spaced channels similar to the members 6 of Fig. 1and the transverse members 39 are comprised of channels of less depththan those forming the members 29 and the members 29 have suitableshaped openings therein to permit the members 30 to extend from side toside of the base as an integral member. Both the members 29 and 39 aresuitably secured to the sides or Aends of the container base as by U-shaped members 3l. Between the members 29 and the sides of the containerin a direction longitudinally of the base are short members 32 whichcomprise spaced channels connecting the members 3d as shown in Fig. 8.Disposed between the channels forming the members 29 and 32 are woodmembers 33 and 3d respectively which project above the upper anges ofthese members 29 and 32 to form a support for the lading. It will beobserved that the lading when supported upon the wood members 33 and 34do not engage any of the metal portions of the container. It will alsobe observed that whilst the wood members 33 are continuous the members32 are short sections spaced between the members 3E! and likewise thatthe members 32 are in the same plane as the members 29 for a purposewhich will be later explained. Mounted on opposite ends of the members2S and the members comprised of the sections 32 are the members 9 andthe top iianges oi these longitudinal members have suitably spacedperforations therein for registering with the perforations in the wingsl l of the members 9 for the purpose previously set forth. By

reason of the spacing of the members 3@ below the plane of the upperflanges of the members 2Q and i2 there is provided suiiicient clearancefor the wings ll of the members 9 so that the 'members Q can move theentire length of the container. For the purpose of securing the ladingin a direction transversely of the container there are mounted onopposite ends of the members 3i! abutment members 35 and 35. rIhesemembers are shown in the drawings as castings and comprise a baseportion secured between the flanges of the channels forming the memberstil and a vertically disposed portion against which the lading abuts.Oppositely disposed flanges 3l on the base portion bear on the upperflanges of the members titl and the base depends below the lower ilangesof the members 3b and is engaged by a transversely disposed member 38.It will be observed that when the member 38 is in position the members35 and 3&3 are restricted in movement in a vertical direction and aremovable transversely of the container until engaging with thelongitudinal members 22. The short members 32 being cut awaysuiiiciently to permit the passage of the members 35 and 36 as shown inenlarged detail in Figs. l2 and l5. For the purpose of prei ventinginjury to the lading by engaging with the metal members 35 and 36 woodmembers 39 are mounted on the faces engaging the lading. For the purposeof securing the member 36 in any fixed position intermediate the member29 and the side of the container the base portion of the member hassuitably formed perforations adapted to register with suitably spacedperforations in the members 3d and when pins lill are inserted in theregistering perforations the member 35 is fixed in position. For thepurpose of securing the upper ends of the members 35 and 36 againstdisplacement it is preferred to connect them by means of a chain ilhaving a turn-buckle 48 at one end of the chain and preferably anchoredin the member $5 for the purpose of placing the chain under tension tobetter secure the lading. While the memberv 35 may be retained in xedVposition along the member 3E! in a manner` similar to that done withrelation to the member 35 it is preferred to utilize the chain ilconnecting the upper ends of the members for this purpose. The chain istherefore made of sufficient length to be Ythreaded through a suitableopening 42 in the upper end of the member 35 and extending down the backof the member, thence through a suitably formed opening 43 in the baseof the member 35 and then inwardly along the member 30 where it issecured adjacent the member 29. In this manner by suitable manipulationof the chain the member 35 can be held against lading anywhere betweenthe member 29 and the adjacent side of the container. Thus, it will beseen that whilst the members 35 and 36 are limited in their movementtransversely of the container, yet by reason of their being capable ofmoving over the greater portion of the width of the container, most allsizes of lading can be adequately secured.

In Figs. 17 to 2l inclusive there is shown a modiication in the meansfor controlling transverse movement of the members 35 and 36. In thisconstruction it is proposed to mount an endless screw threaded memberdel between the channels forming the members 3E! and journaled at itsends in the members 29 and the adjacent side framing m-ember 3 of thecontainer base. By suitably securing a nut 4B within the base of themembers 35 and 36 and upon the member 44 it will be obvious that if themember lili is prevented from independent movement transversely of themembers 35 and 3G, upon rotation of the member lid the members 35 and 35will be moved transversely of the container throughout the length of thethreaded portion of the member 44.

For the purpose of loading and unloading the container upon a suitablevehicle for transportation it is proposed to mount suitably formed hooks4l on the ends of the container adjacent the corners thereof. Thesehooks may be of any suitable contour and of sumcient strength to supportthe loaded container when suspended from a crane or any other handlingmedium. Ii desired these hooks may be integrally formed with the stopcastings mounted at the four corners of the container for the purpose ofsecuring the container in position upon the railway car.

By referring now to Figs. 24 to 27 inclusive where there is showndiagrammatically several suggested methods of loading the unbound stacksof metal upon the container base, it will be observed from Fig. 24 inwhich -a container base, such as is shown in Fig. l, is loaded, thestacks of plates are so disposed that they all abut against the memberslil and the members 9 are moved into close proximity with the stacks ofplates,

after which the members 9 are secured in position on the members t andby suitable manipulation of the handles lll of the screw threadedmembers I3, the member i6 is moved against the stacks so as to securethem in position on the container between the members 9 and lll.Sufcient tension can be induced by means of the screw threaded membersI3 so as to hold the stacks against movement transversely of the base ofthe container. When the stacks of plates are so secured it will beobserved that the underside of the stacks are suitably protected by thewood bearing members S in the member 6 and the wood bearing members l1and 2E! on the members S and Ill so as to prevent injury to the edges ofthe' 'ods of securing unbound stacks of plates upon4 the container baseas shown in Fig. 7 of the drawings. As previously stated one of theobjects of the invention is to eliminate excessive handling of thelading between the mill and the customer and to this end the containeris so designed that the containers c-an be moved to the finishing milland the stacks of plates loaded by means of a crane directly on to thecontainer base. The spacing between the longitudinal and traneverseintermediate members of the base permit passage of the crane hooks andafter securing the stacks in position upon the base, the cover can belifted by means of the upper hooks and placed in position on the base.For this purpose the upper hooks 28 on the cover are suitably shaped toreceive the particular` shaped hook usually employed in handling thestacks of plates within the mill, after which the entire container maybe raised by means of the hooks 4l and placed in position on the railwaycar as shown in Fig. 22 of the drawings. After the car is completelyloaded it is set out on the track and transported to the customer.

Upon arriving at the customers plant the containers be lifted bodilyfrom the car and distributed throughout the plant or if desired thecover of one container can be lifted cfr" placed upon the cover of anadjacent container, the covers nesting together by reason of theconverging sides and ends previously described and the upper cover beingsupported upon the lower hooks of the cover after which the lading canbe removed from the container while the container remains in place uponthe car. The adjacent container may then be unloaded after removing thetwo nesting covers which can be placed upon the adjacent unloadedcontainer and the three covers nested together or the two nested coverscan be moved over on to the previously unloaded container and thecontents of the second container remo-ved.

In this m-anner the contents of all the containers can be removed whilethe containers remain in place on the car and the covers can be nestedas previously described without the necessity of removing any of thecovers entirely from the car which method eliminates the possibility ofany covers becoming lost or damaged while lying around upon the ground.Likewise, the nested arrangement permits compact storage of the coverswithin the loading stage when not in use.

Throughout the description the members supporting the lading and uponwhich the abutment members 9, |63, 35, and 36 are mounted have beendescribed as channel members but it is to be understood that any otherstructural or pressed shape combining an upper fiange and a vertical webmay be used, such as an I-beam, a T-beam, a Z-bar or an angle. Likewise,any other of the members going to make up the container and cover mayhave equivalent shapes substituted therefor to suit any particulardetails of construction which may be desired. The particular contour ofthe cover, shape and size of the abutment members, or the arrangement ofthe individual abutment members can be varied from the arrangements asshown in the drawings without departing from the scope of the inventionas contained in the appended claims.

Illustrating how the above referred to modification can be embodied inthe` container, Fig. 28 shows one quarter of the container base as shownin Fig. 7 and embodying the modifications.

The side members |03, and end members |04 are identical with members 3and 4. The members |04 are joined by longitudinally extending members|29 spaced, one at the longitudinal center line of the base and one oneach side thereof. Joining the side members |03 and spacedlongitudinally of the base are channel members |30. The members |29 and|30 are continuous and the members |29 have suitable openings to receivethe members |30. The members |30 are spaced sufficiently far apart topermit the insertion of T-shaped members |3|, which latter membersextend only to the members |29. Disposed longitudinally of the containerupon the members |30, are wood bearing members |34, which members areomitted above the members i3 l. Mounted upon opposite ends of theI-beams forming the members |29 are the abutment members |09. The topange of the members |29 have suitably disposed perforations whichregister with the perforations in the base of the members |09 as shownby Figs. 4 and 5 and pins H8 engage with the registered perforations.rThe members |35, similar to abutment members 35, are mounted on themembers |3 which latter embers have suitably disposed perforations inthe top flange which register with openings in the base flange of themembers |35. The base flanges of member |35 are similar to those of |89and are s-ecured in position in a manner similar to that used insecuring the members |09.

With such a container the cover and the method of loading and securingthe lading on the base upon the members |34 is the same as previouslydescribed.

Having thus described the invention what we claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

l. In a container of the class described, in combination, a base and acover, lading supporting members on said base and adjustable means onsaid base and lading supporting members for securing unbound stacks ofsteel sheets, said means comprising spaced abutments and a plurality ofindependently operable adjustable members for engaging the lading onsaid lading supporting members.

2. In a container of the class described, a rigid base comprisingmarginal members anged to form supporting feet and joined at theirmeeting edges, bracing joining the opposite marginal members, abutmentmembers movably mounted on some of th-e said bracing, means selectivelysecuring the abutment members in fixed relation to the said bracing andlading supports on some of said bracing intermediate the said marginalmembers.

3. In a container of the class described, a rigid base comprisingmarginal members flanged to form supporting feet and joined at theirmeeting edges, bracing joining the opposite marginal members, abutmentmembers movably mounted on some of the said bracing, means selectivelysecuring the abutment members in fixed relation to the said bracing andlading supports on some of said bracing intermediate the said marginalmembers, a rigid cover for said base and means on said base and coverfor engagement by a suitable handling mechanism.

4. A container having in combination with a detachable cover, a rigidbase forming a support for lading, vertically disposed members slidablymounted on the base and movable inwardly from opposite marginal edges ofthe base, means for securing the slidable vertical members in fixedrelation upon the base, bearing members mounted on the vertical disposedmembers for engaging the lading, adjustable means between the verticalmembers and the bearing members, a bearing for the cover upon the baseand lifting members at opposite marginal edges of the base for handlingthe container.

5. In a container adapted for shipping and distribution of lading, abase member provided with lifting brackets at opposite marginal edges, acover comprising an open bottom, a closed top, side and end wallsforming obtuse angles with the top, a bearing for the cover on the baseand handling brackets for the cover disposed between the upper and lowermarginal edge of the cover at opposite sides thereof.

6. In a container of the character described the combination with arigid detachable cover comprising a closed top, depending side and endwalls and a marginal frame joining the free ends of the walls, of arigid base member comprising a marginal frame providing a bearing forthe cover and having handling members secured at opposite sides of thelatter marginal frame, lading supporting members connecting oppositesides of the marginal frame, vertically disposed abutments on some ofthe lading supporting members and disposed inwardly of the marginalframe, means on some of the abutments providing for movement of theabutment relative to the lading supporting members and for exertingpressure upon the sides of lading disposed between the abutments toretain the lading in iiXed relation to the supporting members.

7. In a container of the class described 'the combination with a rigidbase including marginal frame members, and lading supporting membersconnecting two opposite marginal members, of a readily detachable rigidmember comprising a closed top wall having depending side and end wallsconnected therewith and to each other, a bearing on the marginal framemembers of the base for the free ends of said side and end walls, aiiange on the base marginal frame spaced inwardly of the bearing for thedetachable member and extending above the lading supporting members.

8. In a container oiy the class described, the combination with a rigidbase including marginal frame members, of lading supporting membersconnecting two opposite marginal frame members and extending above thetop horizontal plane of the latter, vertically disposed lading securingabutments mounted on the said supporting members, means connecting someof the abutment members to the lading supporting members for movementrelative to the supporting members, and means mounted on some of theabutment members for limited movement relative to the abutment membersfor engaging lading disposed between the abutments.

9. In a container of the class described, the combination with a rigidbase including marginal frame members, lading supporting membersconnecting two opposite marginal frame members and extending above thetop horizontal plane of the latter, vertically disposed lading securingabutments mounted on the said supporting members, means connecting someof the abutment members to the lading supporting members for movementrelative to the supporting members, means mounted on some of theabutment members for limited movement relative to the abutment membersfor engagement with lading disposed between the abutments and bracketssecured to the marginal frame members for handling the base duringloading, unloading and transporting the container, of a rigid covermember completing the container and comprising a top wall, dependingside and end walls connected to the top wall and to each other, saidcover member being supported upon the base and enclosing the lading.

10. In a container of the class described, the combination with a basecomprising marginal framing members, lading supporting means connectingopposite framing members and disposed above the top horizontal planethereof and a marginal ange enclosing the lading support and projectingabove the framing members inwardly of the marginal edges of the base, ofa closure member comprising a top wall, depending side and end wallsconnected to said top wall and toi each other, with the free edges ofthe side and end Walls bearing on the base and enclosing the saidmarginal flange.

ll. In a shipping container of the class described the combination` of abase comprising angular marginal framing members provided with top andbottom ilanges, the top flange having a portion extending upward at anangle to the main portion thereof, lading supporting members connectingtwo opposite framing members and projecting above the horizontal planethereof, lading abutments mounted on said base and movablelongitudinally relative to the lading supporting members, ladingembracing and retaining means pivotally mounted upon said abutments, Xedabutments on said lading supporting members opposite said movableabutments, transverse members spaced longitudinally of. the ladingsupporting members, connected thereto and to the adjacent marginal framemembers, and lading abutments movably mounted on said transversemembers.

l2. In a container of the class described, the combination with a rigidcover of a base including marginal framing members providing a supportfor the cover, spaced members secured to oppositely disposed marginalmembers of the base, and abutment means mounted on each of said membersfor independent movement thereon, thereby to secure lading in fixedposition upon the base.

13. In containers of the class described, the combination with a rigidcover of a base comprising marginal members providing a support for thecover, lading supporting members secured to opposite marginal members ofthe base, a plurality of members disposed transversely to said ladingsupporting members and connected to oppositely disposed marginal framemembers, and abutment members movably mounted upon said transverselydisposed members.

14. In a container of the class described, a base comprising a rigidmarginal frame, a plurality of. spaced members connecting a pair ofoppositely disposed members of the frame, vertically disposed abutmentssecured to some of said spaced members and adapted for independentmovement longitudinally of their respective members, means for lockingsaid abutments in position on the members, and means on some of saidabutments for adjustably engaging lading disposed on the base betweenthe abutments.

l5. In a container of the class described, the combination with a rigidbase having connected marginal members and a plurality of ladingsupporting members secured to opposite marginal members of the base, ofvertically disposed abutments mounted in pairs on some of said ladingsupporting members, one of the abutments of each pair being adjustablerelative to the other and relative to each of the other pairs ofabutments.

16. In a container of the class described, the combination with a rigidbase frame cf a plurality of spaced members connecting opposite sides ofthe frame, lading supporting means on some of said members and extendingabove the horizontal plane thereof, vertically disposed abutmentsmounted on some of said members and movable longitudinally of themembers and the lading supported means.

l7. In a container of the class described, the combination with adetachable rigid cover of a base having marginal members, spaced ladingsupporting members connecting two of the side marginal members of saidbase, transversely disposed members connecting the other two sidemarginal members of the base, and dispos-ed below the rstenamed members,and vertically disposed abutments movably mounted on the saidtransversely disposed members.

i8. In a container of the class described, the combination with a rigidreadily detachable cover of a base having marginal members, spacedmembers connecting opposite side marginal members of said base, ladingsupporting means on some of said members, vertically disposed abutmentson some of said members and adjacent two sides of the frame foradjustably securing the lading disposed on the lading supporting meansand between the abutments, said abutm-ents being ind-ependentlyadjustable upon their supporting members and movable inwar ly from atleast one of the sides of the base.

19. In a container of the class described, the combination with a rigidreadily detachable cover of a base having marginal members supportingcover, spaced members connecting the opposite sides of the containerbase, lading supporting means on some of said members, verticallydisposed abutments on some ci said members adjacent each side of theframe for adjustably securing the lading disposed on the ladingsupporting means and between the abutments, said abutments beingindependently adjustable upon their supporting members and movableinwardly from at least two of the sides of the base, and means on someoi said abutments providing additional adjustment between th-e abutmentand the lading and movable relative to the abutment.

20. In a container of the class described, the combination in a basetherefor of rigidly connected marginal members, spaced lading supportingmembers connecting two opposite sides of the base, vertically disposedabutments mounted on opposite ends of said lading supporting members,transversely disposed members connecting the remaining sides of thebase, a pair of abutment members adjustably mounted on each of saidtransverse members for movement longitudinally of the members in adirection transversely of said lading supporting members.

2l. In a container base of the class described, the combination with arigid frame of a member disposed between two opposite sides of theframe, an abutment having one end slidably engaging the said member, andmeans releasably securing the abutment in selected positions on the saidmember.

22. l'n a container base of the character described, the combinationwith a rigid frame of a pair of members disposed between opposite sidesof the frame, an abutment disposed above said pair of members, means onsaid abutment engaging each of said members, and means engaging saidmembers and abutment to releasably secure th-e abutment in selectedpositions throughout a portion of the 'length of the members.

3. In a container base of the character described, th-e combination witha rigid marginal frame of a pair of angular members disposed betweenopposite sides of the marginal frame, lading supporting means disposedbetween the angular members, connected thereto and projecting above thetop plane thereof, an abutment mounted on the members and straddling thelading supporting means, and fastening means releasably securing theabutment in selected positions throughout a portion of the length ofsaid mem- 7` bers.

24. In a container base of the character described, the combination witha rigid marginal irame of a pair of spaced angular members disposedbetween opposite sides of the frame, top flanges on said members, ladingsupporting means mounted on said members and extending above the saidflanges, a lading abutment mounted on said flanges and adapted tostraddle said lading supporting means and means releasably securing theabutment in xed positions along a portion of the length of said members.

25. In a container of the class described in combination, a rigid basehaving means thereon for handling, a rigid cover including a closed top,side end walls, a support for the cover on the base, means on thecontainer base providing a support for lading, and vertically disposedmembers movably mounted on the base for engagement with the lading.

2G. In a container of the class described in combination, a rigid base,a rigid cover, a bearing for the cover on the base, supports on the baseadjacent the upper plane thereof for lading, vertically disposed movablemembers on the base for engaging opposite sides of the lading, and meanson said members for securing the lading in xed position relative to saidmembers.

NATHANIEL S. REEDER. JOHN Gr. MORRISSEY.

